Colorado attracts Americans from all over. And there are good reasons why: affordable healthcare, tax benefits, and cheaper cost of living. You can’t go wrong with the Centennial State!
Although property prices have risen in recent years, the average home value in the top 10 cheapest cities is still only around $400,000. Lamar’s cost of living is 28.8% lower than the national average, and La Junta is 27.8% more affordable than the rest of the country.
But that’s not all! Retirees can enjoy Peublo’s friendly community and peaceful environment, with homes averaging a nominal $291K. Meanwhile, Cañon City offers a booming job market in education, healthcare, and technology, with median home prices at just $333,786.
Cheapest Places to Live in Colorado in 2024
Here’s our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Colorado. We’ve considered the average household income, median list price, median house rent, and the population of the cities.
| City | Median Home Value | Median House Rent | Cost of Living Compared to National Average | Median Household Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. La Junta | $162,619 | $1,000 | 27.8% ⬇️ | $50,799 | 7,033 |
| 2. Lamar | $175,085 | $1,100 | 28.8% ⬇️ | $48,422 | 7,525 |
| 3. Pueblo | $291,787 | $1,250 | 9.7% ⬇️ | $52,794 | 111,077 |
| 4. Brush | $305,185 | $975 | 12.4% ⬇️ | $64,475 | 5,268 |
| 5. Cañon City | $333,786 | $1,200 | 9% ⬇️ | $54,308 | 17,241 |
| 6. Grand Junction | $402,274 | $1,700 | 0.9% ⬇️ | $62,993 | 69,412 |
| 7. Fountain | $396,642 | $2,032 | 13% ⬇️ | $80,311 | 28,489 |
| 8. Cortez | $322,805 | $1,500 | 7.4% ⬇️ | $81,898 | 9,033 |
| 9. Leadville | $472,392 | $2,000 | 5.3% ⬇️ | $65,525 | 2,628 |
| 10. Fruita | $450,263 | $1,755 | 0.9% ⬇️ | $71,550 | 13,816 |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in Colorado
Here’s our list of 10 cities that offer affordable living options in the Centennial State:
#1 La Junta: $162,619
- Median house rent is $1,000 | Rental prices range between $975 and $1,195.
- Median home value of La Junta is $162,619.
- Cost of living in La Junta is 27.8% cheaper than the national average.
- 2 popular zips in La Junta, CO: 81050 | 80150
La Junta is the cheapest city in Colorado to live in with healthcare costs 9.6% lower than the US average. The city offers a rich cultural heritage that dates back more than 100 years. Moreover, the city is home to companies like Southeast Health Group and Lewisbolt.
» La Junta Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in the Junction.
#2 Lamar: $175,085
- Median house rent is $1,100 | Rental prices range between $900 and $1,400.
- Median home value of Lamar is $175,085.
- Cost of living in Lamar is 28.8% cheaper than the national average.
- 1 popular zip in Lamar, CO: 81052
Lamar has the lowest cost of living in Colorado. It is a great place for people looking to buy a home with housing prices 65.8% lower than the national average. The grocery costs are 2.5% lower than the national average. Besides this, the city offers quality education for students and is home to Lamar University.
» Lamar Homes for Sale: Browse properties in one of the many cheap cities to live in Colorado for young adults.
#3 Pueblo: $291,787
- Median house rent is $1,250 | Rental prices range between $575 and $5,500.
- Median home value of Pueblo is $291,787.
- Cost of living in Pueblo is 9.7% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Pueblo, CO: 81005 | 81004 | 81001
With healthcare costs being 12.7% lower than the US average, Pueblo is an ideal choice for retirees. Besides this, Pueblo’s proximity to major cities like Colorado Springs and Denver offers a wider range of job opportunities for young adults.
» Pueblo Homes for Sale: Find homes in the one of the many cheapest cities in Colorado to live in.
#4 Brush: $305,185
- Median house rent is $975 | Rental prices range between $675 and $2,200.
- Median home value of Brush is $305,185.
- Cost of living in Brush is 12.4% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Brush, CO: 80723 | 80701
Brush offers affordable housing in Colorado with rent prices $1,120 lower than the national average. The grocery costs are also 3.8% below the national average. Moreover, Brush boasts a strong agricultural economy due to its fertile soil and favorable farming climate.
» Brush Homes for Sale: Find your dream home with affordable living in Colorado.
#5 Cañon City: $333,786
- Median house rent is $1,200 | Rental prices range between $500 and $2,600.
- Median home value of Cañon City is $333,786.
- Cost of living in Cañon City is 9% cheaper than the national average.
- 2 popular zips in Cañon City, CO: 81212 | 81215
Cañon City is often referred to as the “Climate Capital of Colorado” with crime rate being 2.4% less than the US average. Cañon City’s affordable health, housing, and transportation make the city one of the cheapest cities to live in Colorado. Also, major retailers like Walmart, Target, and King Soopers are located in the city.
» Cañon City Homes for Sale: Find homes in the best and most affordable Colorado cities.
#6 Grand Junction: $402,274
- Median house rent is $1,700 | Rental prices range between $695 and $4,000.
- Median home value of Grand Junction is $402,274.
- Cost of living in Grand Junction is 0.9% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Grand Junction, CO: 81507 | 85101 | 81506
With an average household income of $62,993, you can comfortably live in River City. Grand Junction is a great option for outdoor enthusiasts. Transportation expenses are 22.5% lower than the US average. Also, the city has major employers like Capco and J & A ENTERPRISES LLC.
» Grand Junction Homes for Sale: Find a home in one of the most affordable cities to live in Colorado.
#7 Fountain: $396,642
- Median house rent is $2,032 | Rental prices range between $700 and $2,700.
- Median home value of Fountain is $396,642.
- Cost of living in Fountain is 13% cheaper than the national average.
- 1 popular zip in Fountain, CO: 80817
Fountain’s monthly expenditure on food for an individual amounts to $657. This makes it one of the most affordable options across the country. Fountain has a tight knit community situated in the suburbs of Colorado Springs. Apart from this, the city is home to schools like Jordahl Elementary School and Welte Education Center.
» Fountain Homes for Sale: Find homes in the cheapest city to live in Colorado.
#8 Cortez: $322,805
- Median house rent is $1,500 | Rental prices range between $650 and $3,450.
- Median home value of Cortez is $322,805.
- Cost of living in Cortez is 7.4% cheaper than the Colorado average.
- 1 popular zip in Cortez, CO: 81321
Cortez offers housing costs at 22% lower than the national average, makes it affordable to buy a house in this area. You can get an estimate of your property with a free home worth estimator. Besides this, the city is home to major companies like Skanska and Osprey Resources for job seekers.
» Cortez Homes for Sale: Get yourself a home in one of the inexpensive places to live in Colorado.
#9 Leadville: $472,392
- Median house rent is $2,000| Rental prices range between $855 and $4,200.
- Median home value of Leadville is $472,392.
- Cost of living in Leadville is 5.3% cheaper than the national average.
- 3 popular zips in Leadville, CO: 80461 | 81251 | 00000
Leadville’s healthcare costs are 17.5% lower than the national average. Utilities and transportation costs are an average of ~9% lower than the US average. Besides this, Colorado Mountain College Leadville offers a variety of degrees and certificates for students.
» Leadville Homes for Sale: Find homes in the affordable places to live in Colorado.
#10 Fruita: $450,263
- Median house rent is $1,755| Rental prices range between $770 and $5,495.
- Median home value of Fruita is $450,263.
- Cost of living in Fruita is 0.9% cheaper than the national average.
- 1 popular zip in Fruita, CO: 81521
Fruita generally has lower home prices than larger cities like Denver or Boulder, making it more accessible for homebuyers. Healthcare and transportation costs are also 13.7% and 16.9% lower compared to the national average. Moreover, the city’s proximity to the Colorado National Monument drives tourism and creates jobs.
» Fruita Homes for Sale: Find houses in lowest cost of living cities in CO.
So, Where Is the Cheapest Place to Live in Colorado?
You will find cheap houses for sale in Colorado under 250K in cities like La Junta, Lamar, and Pueblo. They offer stable job opportunities, and the cost of living is more affordable than other Colorado cities.
Cities like Grand Junction and Leadville are slightly expensive but provide better job opportunities. You must research the home prices and living costs. Also, getting a mortgage pre-approval helps you stand out in the competition before buying a house in Colorado.
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With thousands of property listings, Houzeo.com is one of the biggest property listing sites in the US. Find condos, townhouses, co-ops, and tiny homes for sale in Colorado on Houzeo.
» Need More Clarity? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why the platform is the best in Colorado’s competitive housing market.
Research Methodology
To rank the top cities in Colorado, we analyzed the northern, central, and southern regions, evaluating them based on specific criteria. Below is a breakdown of the factors used and the sources of information that informed our rankings.
- Population: World Population Review [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow [2]
- Median Rent: Zillow [3]
- Cost of Living: Rent Cafe [4]
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the least expensive place to live in Colorado?
The cheapest place to live in Colorado is Lamar. It has one of the most affordable cost of living which is 28.8% lower than the national average.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Colorado: Find out the other cheapest areas to live in Colorado.
Where is the best place to live in Colorado?
The best place to live in Colorado is Denver, followed by Aurora, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Greeley, and Pueblo.
Is Colorado cheap to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $544,618. If you're looking for cities with affordable housing in Colorado and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
Which Colorado city has the lowest cost of living?
Lamar has the lowest cost of living, which is 28.8% and 40.9% lower than the national and state average, respectively.
